Police: Location of Vehicle Suggests Reported Kidnapping of Alabama Baby Never Happened at All

In a surprising turn of events, authorities have discovered that the reported kidnapping of a baby girl in Alabama may not have occurred at all. The nine-month-old infant, Harlow Darby Freeman, was found inside her father's SUV, deep in the kudzu across the street from where the vehicle was reported stolen.

Law enforcement officers, conducting their fourth search of the area, located Harlow just before 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Chief Danny Woodard of the Parrish Police expressed gratitude for the daylight hours that aided in the successful discovery. The baby was found unharmed and still secured in her car seat, although one of the windows had been broken from an unrelated incident, providing some ventilation.

Although Harlow was dehydrated, she is currently in good condition and has been taken to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham for further evaluation. Chief Woodard stated that the investigation is ongoing, but there is a growing belief that the SUV was not stolen as initially suspected.

According to Woodard, there are two plausible scenarios: either the vehicle was not put into park and rolled down a large embankment into the kudzu, or someone else may have been involved. However, the exact circumstances remain unclear, and further inquiries and discussions with the Walker County District Attorney's Office are required before determining if any charges will be filed.

The incident began on Monday evening, when Parrish police responded to a call at 311 Crest Avenue, reporting the theft of the SUV with Harlow still inside. An Amber Alert was subsequently issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, urging the public to be on the lookout for the white 2009 Lexus RX350 with tag number 3880AR8. The vehicle was described as having damage on the rear passenger side and being taped with clear tape.

Harlow's mother, Bethany Smith, took to social media, imploring the safe return of her daughter and offering a $5,000 reward. The extensive search efforts involved numerous officers, investigators from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and U.S. Marshals.

Reflecting on the unusual sequence of events, Chief Woodard emphasized the rarity of such incidents in a small town like Parrish. He expressed relief that the child was found unharmed and affirmed the ongoing commitment to investigate the situation thoroughly.

As the investigation continues, authorities will interview individuals involved and consult with the District Attorney's Office to determine the appropriate course of action.